Tin Cat

old wine in new glasses

Erik — Sun, 21 Dec 2008 06:21:44 +0000

Last week at practice we spent some time finding new ways to play some old songs. This is something we like to do - all of our songs have been through some changes as we’ve gone from solo or duo open mike performers to a five-piece rock band to the current power folk trio. And even within the trio, I play “Losing Streak” on hard-driving mandolin, tango-esque accordion, or slightly loopy piano, and Tom and Dave come along with me on whatever instruments they have.

Anyway, I’m excited about some of the new old songs we’ll have at shows this winter. Tom’s song “Build a Bridge” has already been through two versions - the reggae-tinged one we have on the record, and a sort of funky folk version we usually play live - and as of next year I may be playing Tom’s banjo on it, with Tom and Dave both playing guitar. And we worked hard on a new version - I don’t want to spoil the surprise, so I’ll leave it at that - of a song from my solo CD. Can’t wait for January!

thanks

Erik — Sun, 14 Dec 2008 07:56:21 +0000

Just wanted to say thanks to everyone who came out to Red Rock tonight for our last show of the year (unless you invite us to your holiday party). Playing with our friend Colin Carthen was totally fun - we’re hoping to do it again - and playing for you guys was a great way to close out 2008.

Next show isn’t listed anywhere yet, but I think it’s January 24 at Cava Wine Bar in Capitola. See you next year!

everything’s happening Saturday

Erik — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 09:14:54 +0000

Well, not everything, but check out all this good stuff:

The 26th Annual Holiday Peace Fair at the Campbell United Methodist Church, featuring Annie and the Vets, Lisa Atkinson, and others.
Young folkies Ivory Owl (try this video) at the Abbey, a cool new coffeehouse venue in Santa Cruz.
Acoustic pop duo Emith at Cava, a nice little wine bar in Capitola.
Tom told me Keith Greeninger and Dayan Kai are playing in Santa Cruz somewhere but I can’t find any info about it.
Uh, Dave’s going to a party but I guess you’re probably not invited.

Anyway, but like at least three awesome things to go to, right? Plus I’m sure there’s others. What am I missing?

Update: Inventive jazz trio Panthelion at the Blank Club, with David Knight and Ambience.

Update: Claudia Russell and the Folk Unlimited Orchestra at Mission City in Santa Clara.

looking back and forward

Tom — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 08:06:54 +0000

We played a two hour set at the Palo Alto Art League this past Thursday. They’ve had Tin Cat at their annual meeting the past 3 years, and we get to play in their historic (1921) building. Great place to take art classes! I had a small setback: during a run through “I Want You Back”, I took a kinda long bass solo, which was fun, but my fretting wrist is strained and I haven’t played since then. So, I’m looking at my Telecaster in anticipation of playing again. I foresee playing acoustic again in time for our show at Wine Affairs Wednesday, December 3. Address: 1435 The Alameda, San Jose CA 95126. They have a relaxed atmosphere, fine beer and wine, and some food too. We’re on 7:30 to 10PM.

We’re playing this Saturday!

Tom — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 06:37:23 +0000

We’ll be at the Blue Rock Shoot in Saratoga Saturday night with our friends The Toes, come by if you can!

Pernikoff Brothers

Erik — Sun, 09 Nov 2008 07:26:32 +0000

These guys are really good. Funky bass, tight sibling harmonies, guitar and banjo, creative covers… very tasty. The MySpace doesn’t do them justice - fortunately they’re recording more this week - but try “I See You” or this Afro-pop-styled live video on YouTube. This one’s pretty good too.

They’ve got a weekly gig, noon Saturdays at Red Rock Coffee in Mountain View. If you can, catch them tomorrow - they’ve got a drummer visiting from Boston who really adds to the dynamic.

FAR-West

Erik — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 20:30:33 +0000

We’re back from the Folk Alliance Region West conference in Mesa, AZ, where two floors of the Marriott were transformed into a miniature Sixth Street, beds shoved aside to make every room its own little unplugged concert venue. (Lots of other important stuff happened, like panels and workshops, but it’s the “guerrilla showcases” that are really striking.) I’m sure to snub someone here by forgetting them, but I can’t help mentioning a few of our favorite musicians from the conference, like Sarah Sample, Driftwood Fire, Dayan Kai, Rachel Garlin, and our friends Michael Morales and Bev and Greg. And the best time I had all weekend, hanging out and playing bass (and a little mandolin) at the Joni Mitchell song circle.

new videos

Erik — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 00:21:17 +0000

Our friend Geoff from orchestra6 just posted videos of our own Dave Allender singing From Galway to Graceland and The Galway Girl, with Geoff on Dobro, at the Red Rock Coffee open mike.

I’ve been collecting live videos of us and our friends over on YouTube. All the ones I know about are here. Let me know if I missed anything.

tour blog 3: Bellingham, Redmond, Portland

Erik — Sun, 13 Jul 2008 10:13:00 +0000

1. In Bellingham I had the best coffee of the tour, at The Black Drop. Tom bought records at Aladdin’s Lamp - we had to drag him out. Dave looked for a belt, but left unfulfilled. The show at the Green Frog might have been the first time on the tour that people we didn’t already know came to see us, on purpose. Bellingham gets the Tin Cat seal of approval. Here’s an old cafe:

2. The show at SoulFood Books was just awesome. I don’t even know what to say, except thanks to Clint and Sara and… Taylor? And our friend Mike Morales for playing a great opening set and bringing friends out to see us and making breakfast the next day. Let’s do that again!

3. And tonight at Cameron’s we finished the tour the best way one can, among friends. Friends and neighbors, only one of whom wanted to shut us down.

4. Time to go home!

tour blog 2: Portland, Olympia

Erik — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 19:18:00 +0000

1. The window’s not… fixed, exactly. There’s a part we couldn’t get. It’s fine as long as Dave doesn’t roll the window down. Which he keeps doing.

2. We didn’t have a show in Portland. The show’s coming up on Saturday. Tuesday night we played an open mike at Albina Green, a restaurant with a great lawn:

3. Last night we played at Last Word Books in Olympia. The opener was Micah Ellison. I met him last year when he was June Madrona’s wide-eyed melodica player, out on his first tour. That tour lasted four months, and now he’s a grizzled veteran who writes shy, sincere songs on the piano.

We played unplugged (except for the bass). I really enjoy the natural sound of the instruments and voices when we play unamplified, and the intimacy with the audience - when it’s a good audience, which it was last night. Then Google Maps played - the band, not the web application - which was light math rock on bass and drums. A terrific night, all told.

After the show we adjourned across the street to King Solomon’s Reef for breakfast, dinner, and insufficient rhubarb pie. And directions:

4. I’m writing a blog post in a little cottage made of cob. Tom’s straightening things out with his bank. Dave’s outside, I don’t know what he’s doing. In a few moments, we’ll all be done. Then, on to Bellingham! With a side order of Seattle traffic.